Themed collection Outstanding Papers 2023 – Environmental Science: Atmospheres
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2023 Outstanding Papers published in the Environmental Science journals of the Royal Society of Chemistry
The Editors-in-Chief of the Environmental Science journals introduce the Outstanding Papers of 2023.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2024,4, 432-434
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4EA90013H
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Uncertainties in mitigating aviation non-CO2 emissions for climate and air quality using hydrocarbon fuels
The effects of aviation's non-CO2 emissions on climate and air quality are complex and relatively poorly understood. Mitigation measures need to be very carefully considered so that perverse outcomes do not result.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 1693-1740
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00091E
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Marine aerosol feedback on biogeochemical cycles and the climate in the Anthropocene: lessons learned from the Pacific Ocean
Marine aerosol feedback on biogeochemical cycles and the climate remains highly uncertain due to the complex interplay. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of organic aerosols, nitrogen, and iron as well as cloud properties over the Pacific Ocean.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 782-798
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00156J
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Human skin oil: a major ozone reactant indoors
Much of the ozone that enters buildings reacts with human skin oils, both on occupants and on other surfaces. Products of these reactions influence human chemical exposures.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 640-661
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00008G
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Acetaldehyde in the indoor environment
Acetaldehyde is ubiquitous in the atmosphere. The relevant sources and the concentrations occurring indoors are discussed and evaluated on the basis of health-related criteria and guide values.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 474-493
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00146B
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Atmospheric aging modifies the redox potential and toxicity of humic-like substances (HULIS) from biomass burning
Atmospheric aging through diverse reaction pathways modifies redox potential and composition of organic aerosols, leading to varied dynamic behaviors of aerosols in the respiratory system and endpoint toxic results.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 1791-1804
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00104K
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Emerging investigator series: aqueous oxidation of isoprene-derived organic aerosol species as a source of atmospheric formic and acetic acids
Aqueous photochemistry of isoprene derivatives helps reconcile model budgets of organic aerosol mass and gas-phase formic and acetic acids.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 1651-1664
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00076A
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VOC emissions by fresh and old asphalt pavements at service temperatures: impacts on urban air quality
VOC emissions from asphalt pavements at service temperature contribute significantly to SOA formation in urban areas.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 1601-1619
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00034F
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The driving effects of common atmospheric molecules for formation of clusters: the case of sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, ammonia, and dimethylamine
Secondary aerosols form from gas-phase molecules that create prenucleation complexes, which grow to form aerosols. Understanding how secondary aerosols form in the atmosphere is essential for a better understanding of global warming.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 1585-1600
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00118K
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The synergistic role of sulfuric acid, ammonia and organics in particle formation over an agricultural land
Agricultural lands produce high loads of aerosol particles, which could cool the climate, overcoming the well-known climate warming effects of agriculture.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 1195-1211
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00065F
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Emerging investigator series: a machine learning approach to quantify the impact of meteorology on tropospheric ozone in the inland southern California
The role of meteorology in facilitating the formation and accumulation of ground-level ozone is of great theoretical and practical interest, especially due to emissions shifts and changing global climate.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 1159-1173
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00077F
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Influence of ambient and endogenous H2O2 on reactive oxygen species concentrations and OH radical production in the respiratory tract
A multiphase kinetic model analysis quantifies effects of air pollutants on reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress in the respiratory tract.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 1066-1074
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00179A
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Highly local sources and large spatial variations in PM2.5 across a city: evidence from a city-wide sensor network in Cork, Ireland
When dominated by local emissions, levels of ambient particulate matter (PM) can vary appreciably within a city. In Ireland, residential solid fuel burning is the main PM2.5 emission source.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 919-930
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00177B
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Accretion product formation in the self-reaction of ethene-derived hydroxy peroxy radicals
In this work, we find significant branching to an accretion product in the self-reaction of ethene-derived hydroxy peroxy radicals.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 882-893
https://doi.org/10.1039/D3EA00020F
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Aqueous-phase photochemical oxidation of water-soluble brown carbon aerosols arising from solid biomass fuel burning
The fate of BrC in aqueous systems such as clouds and fog droplets does not depend on solid biomass types.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 816-829
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00151A
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Modeling the fate and involuntary exposure to tetrahydrocannabinol emitted from indoor cannabis smoking
Second and third hand exposure to cannabis smoke is predicted to lead to THC concentrations exceeding impaired driving laws in adults and toddlers, but enhanced ventilation and particle filtration are effective mitigation measures.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 760-772
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00155A
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An analysis of degradation in low-cost particulate matter sensors
PurpleAir sensors are widely used to measure PM2.5 levels in cities around the world. However, little is known about the change in sensor performance over time. This paper fills this gap.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 521-536
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00142J
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Probing the limits of sampling gaseous elemental mercury passively in the remote atmosphere
Deployment times of at least two months and dedicated efforts to limit contamination during transport and storage are recommended to obtain reliable results when using passive samplers for gaseous elemental mercury in the remote atmosphere.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 268-281
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00119E
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Plastic waste generation and emissions from the domestic open burning of plastic waste in Guatemala
Domestic, or household-level, open burning of plastic waste is a substantial source of air pollutants and greenhouse gases that are often neglected in Guatemala.
Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 156-167
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EA00082B
About this collection
The Environmental Science journals Outstanding Papers identifies a selection of excellent papers published in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Environmental Science journal family, showcasing great research from across the globe. This collection of our outstanding papers in 2023 can be read here: https://rsc.li/enviro-outstanding
To celebrate more of the great papers published in Environmental Science: Atmospheres during 2023, we’ve gathered all shortlisted papers in this special collection.
Outstanding Paper: The synergistic role of sulfuric acid, ammonia and organics in particle formation over an agricultural land
Runner-Up Outstanding Paper: VOC emissions by fresh and old asphalt pavements at service temperatures: impacts on urban air quality
Outstanding Review: Human skin oil: a major ozone reactant indoors
Outstanding Emerging Investigator Series Paper: Emerging investigator series: aqueous oxidation of isoprene-derived organic aerosol species as a source of atmospheric formic and acetic acids